Ladakh is home to some of the most stunning landscapes and numerous magical sights. From lofty mountains to splendid river valleys, from colorful shops to ancient monasteries, Ladakh houses all the magic under its roof. Adding to its unrivaled beauty is the Hemis festival which takes place in Leh every year. This festival paints the canvas of this place in vibrant hues, making it one of the most famous religious festivals in all of Ladakh and is a must for all those who want to get drenched in the culture of Ladakh. It holds the promise of giving you a soul-touching experience. You can feel the vibes of the festival in the air as it whispers the tales of history. The mountains will echo the sounds of culture and the people will dance to the magical tunes of celebration. Such is the aura of this festival!
Cultural significance:Hemis festival is celebrated every year to commemorate the birthday of Lord Padmasambhava. Lord Padmasambhava was a spiritual leader who freed Ladakh from all the evil spirits that had captured this beautiful place. Thus, this festival is symbolic of the victory of good over evil.
The Hemis Festival 2021 is all set to take place on June 30th to July 1st. So, hop on the plane for Ladakh during these months if you wish to capture the vibrancy of this charming celebration.
| Day 1 |
Welcome to Delhi The welcoming air of Delhi will engulf your senses as you begin your magical journey. On arriving at the airport, you will be escorted to the hotel by our representative. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing and taking in the warmth of Delhi. You can also go out and explore the bustling neighborhood. |
| Day 2 |
The journey from Delhi to Leh Pack yourself up with a good breakfast and set off on an early morning trip to Leh. Blessed with a stunning landscape, Leh is every nature lover’s paradise. You can click splendid pictures of its panoramic beauty as you fly over the mountains.
Dotted with stupas and whitewashed houses, Leh is dominated by a dagger of steep rocky ridge. The Indus river valley forms the backbone of this enchanting place and it lies at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Xinjiang, Tibet, and Kashmir. This makes it a prime location for traders. The enchanting beauty and the interesting sights have made it a bustling tourist town.
Upon your arrival, you will set out to explore the busy Leh bazaar which will enchant your senses with its vibrant colors. The rest of the day will be for you to relax.
Before you start enjoying the gamut of adventure activities, it is important to acclimatize to the altitude.
|
| Day 3 |
Witness the beauty of Leh A good breakfast will set you right for the day. Enjoy the day by visiting Gompa Soma, a Buddhist temple, whose walls will take you back in time. This historical place of worship is situated at the base of the towering Leh palace.
A visit to Moti Market, Leh’s old bazaar, will take you down the road of history as you pass through its medieval alleyways. These ancient lanes whisper the stories of the Asian spice trade.
The rich flavor of the traditional Tibetan butter tea can also be enjoyed as you’re out exploring this beautiful city. |
| Day 4 |
Witness the glory of the Hemis festival Get ready for a fun-filled day as today, you will set out to enjoy the Hemis festival 2021. Gawk at the magical Hemis monastery which will be adorned in the colors of the festival. Witness the vibrant costumes, traditional dances, and colorful handicrafts. The Cham dance will make you tap your feet as it takes you down the road of history. You can capture the beauty of this festival on your camera and take home some gorgeous pictures of this memorable trip. One of the most famous religious festivals of Ladakh, this celebration serves as an attraction for both the tourists and the local people. It celebrates the birth anniversary of the spiritual leader Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibet Tantric Buddhism. The Hemis festival 2021 will take you on a journey of a lifetime and will make you cherish this trip till eternity.
|
| Day 5 |
Leh will take you back in time Pack yourself up with a luxurious breakfast. You will embark on a sightseeing tour of Stok Palace, Shey Palace, and Thiksey monastery today.
Stok Palace: Built by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825, this palace currently houses the royal descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. You can marvel at the unique architectural style of this palace on your visit. The beautiful gardens, the royal clothing, the crowns, and other royal paraphernalia will provide an unprecedented glimpse into the opulent era as well as the social and cultural facets of the regal life. This magnificent palace also houses a library that has around 108 volumes of the Kangyur (a collection of teachings of Lord Buddha).
Shey Palace: This summer capital of Ladakh is famous for its 39 ft tall Shakyamuni Buddha statue made of gold and copper. This place is drenched in the history of the period of the Namgyals and Dogras.
A visit to the most beautiful monastery of Ladakh will be the cherry on the cake of this sightseeing tour. Thiksey Gompa, which belongs to the Gelugpa order of Buddhism, is known for housing the Maitreya Buddha statue.
The evening will be for relaxing and taking in the beauty of Leh. |
| Day 6 |
The road to Lamayuru After having an exquisite breakfast, you will set off on a journey that will enchant you and leave you spellbound. The journey from Leh to Lamayuru is a spectacular 3-hour drive. From lofty mountains to deep river valleys, this journey is filled with stunning landscapes that will be embossed on your heart forever.
Enjoy your time here by visiting the local monastery and gompa. Test your physical prowess by climbing up to the high point overlooking the town. You will be able to witness the spectacular view from the summit and you can revel in the tranquility of the surroundings. You can spend the afternoon enjoying the lunar-like white stone surroundings. |
| Day 7 |
The beautiful road from Lamayuru to Leh The return journey to Leh will commence at dawn. You will pass through Alchi, an ancient Buddhist village which houses monuments dating to periods. Of these monuments, Alchi Monastery is the oldest and it is famous for being an ancient Buddhist learning center. The huge statues of Buddha and the minutely carved paintings attract tourists to this place and are the major reason for its huge footfall.
You will spend the night at Leh.
|
| Day 8 |
The journey back home At dawn, you will leave for Delhi. On arriving in Delhi, you will head back home with all the memories of this beautiful trip etched in your heart forever. |
Read about our travel expeditions, new destinations, new pictures, latest trip schedules
